Day eight in brief
- Japan on course to top Group D after impressive 1-0 win over Iraq
- Hamza Al Dardour hits four as Jordan hammer Palestine
Star of the day
Hamza Al Dardour. To say Al Dardour single-handedly destroyed Palestine with his four-goal haul wouldn’t quite be true as he couldn’t have done it without the unceasing generosity of the opposing “defence” (note we’ve used speech marks just to cover ourselves under the trades description act). But woeful marking shouldn’t take the gloss off Al Dardour’s superb one-man show and the first hat-trick of this year’s tournament. It was a pure goal poacher’s performance, with three of the strikes coming from tap-ins after perfectly timed runs into the box. And as Keisuke Honda unfortunately proved for Japan in the night’s other game, there’s no such thing as an easy tap-in. Even E Honda from Streetfighter II could have put that one away.
Photo of the day
Something to cheer
Your team is five goals down with five minutes to go. Asian Cup oblivion isn’t just staring you in the face, it’s put its thumb on its nose and is waggling its fingers. With the game wrapped up in their favour, a bored-looking Jordan defence let a deep free-kick into the box elude them and Palestine’s Jaka Ihbeisheh fires home at the back post. It’s a late consolation on an otherwise humiliating night. Yet instead of a polite round of applause or ironic cheers to greet the players’ muted celebrations, the crowd directly behind the goal erupts into a flag-waving frenzy of joy uncontained. Despite successive hammerings, it’s Palestine’s first ever Asian Cup goal and their fans want to show the tournament’s underdogs just how much it means to them. Even this old cynic cracked a smile.
What we learned
With so much attention on the Socceroos’ superb start to the tournament, it’s easy to ignore (or just convenient) how the Asian Cup’s “other” favourites are faring. Japan thumped Palestine 4-0 in the opening round, but last night’s confident display against Iraq was a more ominous sign of their credentials. There’s a shark lurking in that sea of deep blue shirts, and last night’s game was the first couple of notes from the Jaws theme.
What’s on today
It’s the big one: Kuwait v Oman. But few football fans realise there’s another game on tonight, with the all-conquering Socceroos set to face their first serious test of the tournament. South Korea have qualified for the knock-out stages too, but whereas Ange Postecoglou’s players have steamrollered their way there, their opponents’ progress has resembled a second-hand Hyundai with just enough gas in the tank to reach the finish line. Top of the group glory awaits the victor, a probable semi-final against Japan befalls the loser.
Video of the day
What’s happening in the Socceroos camp?
Ange Postecoglou has promised not to ease off on his side’s attack-minded philosophy, despite the step up in class of the opposition and the fact the Socceroos only need a draw to top the group. “Everyone is aware of what our approach has been and what it will continue to be,” he said. “There is a game of football to be played and every time that happens we want to win it - that won’t change (tonight). We improved from the first game to the second and we want that again in the third game.” Meanwhile, question marks still hover over the fitness of Mile Jedinak due to an ankle injury.
Player to watch
Nam Tae-Hee. After not even featuring in the opening game against Oman, injuries and illness meant the 23-year-old was given a starting role in the follow-up against Kuwait. He seized his chance in style, hitting the winner to seal South Korea’s place in the next round. Despite being tipped as a potential star in his younger days, Nam has never really lived up to the hype. This tournament was seen as a chance for him to finally make his name. Another good performance against the Socceroos would do just that.
Quote of the day
I appreciate your concern mate, usually no one cares about how I feel. No we won’t be rotating coaches, I’ll be fit for tomorrow.
A surprised Ange Postecoglou after being quizzed about a bug he’s picked up.
Must read this
Pete Smith’s interview with Socceroos defender Alex Wilkinson about a more physically robust South Korean side, and his fifteen-year relationship with the gaffer Postecoglou.
Today’s games
Group A: Australia v South Korea, Brisbane – 8pm
Group A: Oman v Kuwait, Newcastle – 8pm